Monday

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will give Disney's most loyal fans an up close look at an extensive collection of interactive experiences and merchandise that celebrate Disney, Marvel and Star Wars timeless characters during the bi-annual D23 Expo, the ultimate Disney fan event.

Held at the Anaheim Convention Center from Aug. 9-11, 2013, Disney fans will have the chance to follow their favorite products from "sketch to shelf" and learn how Disney Consumer Products extends storytelling from character and content extension to product development through featured discussions, art and sculptures and final product displays.

While at the D23 Expo fans will also be able to immerse themselves in exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, special signing opportunities and exclusive product offerings at the Disney Consumer Products Pavilion.

Disney Junior Fun Spot - Get a sneak peek of brand-new toys before they hit store shelves this fall and enjoy special giveaways while supplies last.

Disney Princess Ariel-Themed Sephora Pop-up Shop – Sephora Pro artists and manicurists will give attendees the royal treatment with products from the Disney Ariel Collection by Sephora. The collection will be available for purchase along with an exclusive-to-D23 Expo-only Swarovski crystal-encrusted Ariel compact mirror. Attendees will receive starfish hair clips with every complimentary beauty service each day, while supplies last.

The Mystical World of Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen – See feature animation art concepts, storyboards and products from the mystical world of Frozen, the daring comedy-adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios releasing in November 2013.

Steamboat Willie Redux – Celebrate the history and timelessness of your favorite character from the pioneering 1928 cartoon short, Steamboat Willie. Using the original story and characters as a template, each scene has been graphically re-interpreted by Disney artists and designers in a phenomenally fun mash-up tribute to Mickey Mouse.

Spider-Man's Ultimate Innovation – Come check out products on the cutting edge of product innovation and design featuring one of the most popular Super Heroes in the world, Spider-Man, in Marvel's first-ever appearance in the DCP showcase at the D23 Expo.

Star Wars at D23 Expo! – For the first time at the D23 Expo Star Wars fans can have access to experiences created for them by Lucasfilm and Disney. Darth Vader: The Evolution of a Villain, located in the DCP pavilion, showcases the development of the iconic villain from early concepts to striking realization. Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars Saga 101, presented by Lucasfilm's resident authority Pablo Hidalgo in Stage 23, will give Star Wars newbies and experts alike a thorough grounding in all matters of the Force and the Star Wars legacy.

Fans will have the opportunity to participate in other immersive experiences, including:

Find Your Voice with The Little Mermaid, a karaoke experience celebrating the music from the film.

Journey through the Art of Tink, a gallery where Disney artists, designers, illustrators, and animators from around the world have re-imagined our magical, sassy and feisty fairy, Tinker Bell.

What Makes a Puppet a Muppet?, which will help fans learn what it takes to create a Muppets "plush" and then create your own.

Take a Ride with Disney·Pixar's World of Cars and Disney's Planes, which explains how the highly collectible diecast vehicles are made.

Assembling The Avengers Franchise, an exclusive tour through the history of The Avengers and the chance to see the latest The Avengers products.

I heart Mickey & Minnie, a rarely seen collection of beloved Mickey Mouse toys, apparel, and accessories from past decades, along with a showcase of Minnie Mouse-inspired fashions from around the globe.

Disney StoreD23 Members attending the Expo are invited to attend the Disney Store signature store opening ceremony to "Unlock Imagination", each morning at 9 a.m. at the Convention Center, when the D23 Expo floor opens for members. The 1,800-square-foot Disney Store retail space will be packed with the latest D23 Expo merchandise created by Disney Store and will feature guest artist signings. In addition, guests will find an array of products not yet available to the public, including a Disney·Pixar capsule collection, which will bring together multiple characters from Disney·Pixar's cherished portfolio of films for the first time ever.

Steamboat Willie Redux – Disney Store will launch Steamboat Willie Redux, a fresh new take on Classic Mickey Mouse, and will host a guest artist signing on stage with Robert Farrell, John T. Quinn III, Jeff Shelly, and Rebecca Wong.

Disney PublishingDisney Publishing will take fans into the world of books, apps and everything in between by showcasing how artists, storytelling and innovative content combined creates stories full of magic and adventure. Guests can participate in live readings with Fairy Godmother on Friday, watch artists behind popular Disney stories sketch live on Saturday and get their hair styled like a Disney Princess by Sephora on Sunday with the help of the Disney Princess Royal Salon app. New books and never-before-seen lithographs featuring Peter Pan, Mickey Mouse and Sleeping Beauty will be available for sale inside the booth.

Disney Publishing's Stage 28 presentations and signings include:

Ridley Pearson and The Kingdom Keepers Insider App Quest – New York Times best-selling author Ridley Pearson embarks on a journey to write the seventh and final book in the Kingdom Keepers series—only this time, his readers are helping him write it! Join the author as he reveals how deception and betrayal rock the Kingdom Keepers' world as the merciless group of Overtakers (Disney villains) stage an unexpected comeback (Presentation: Friday, Aug. 9 – 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Signing: 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m., Talent Round Up).

Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar Presents…Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney's Magic Kingdoms – Disney Legend Marty Sklar will take guests through a presentation based on his new memoir—one that recounts his epic Disney adventure, including working as Walt's literary right-hand man for the Disney Parks, writing a film expressing Walt's philosophy for the Walt Disney World project and Epcot and opening nine of the 11 Disney parks around the world (Presentation: Friday, Aug. 9 – 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Signing: 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Talent Round Up).

The Evolution of Tinker Bell with Author Mindy Johnson – Join author, Mindy Johnson, for a sneak-peek into some of the never-before-seen images behind the development of everyone's favorite fairy, Tinker Bell. Following this appearance Mindy will be signing her new book, Tinker Bell: An Evolution, at The Dream Store (Center Stage Presentation: Saturday, August 10 - 11:00-11:20 a.m. Signing: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., The Dream Store).

Tickets and pricing information for D23 Expo 2013 are available at D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on admission, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 Expo for themselves and their guests. More details about D23 Expo entertainment, events, and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting D23Expo.com.

About Deb at Focused on the Magic

Deb Silhan is a blogger and photographer specializing in Disney inspired content. She has visited Walt Disney World numerous times and uses her love of Disney photography to inspire others to capture their memories and share them in blog hops, photobooks and photo sharing sites. You can find her work at her blog www.focusedonthemagic.com.

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